potism requires. "Equality places men side by side, unconnected by any common tie; despotism raises barriers to keep them asunder; the former predisposes them not to consider their fellow-creatures, the latter makes general indifference a sort of public virtue." (Vol2, Book2, Chap4) As Tocqueville wrote, "No sooner does a government attempt to go beyond its political sphere and to enter upon this new track, than it exercises, even unintentionally, an insupportable tyranny; for a government can only dictate strict rules, the opinions which it favors are rigidly enforced, and it is never easy to discriminate between its advice and its commands."(Vol2,book2,chap5) The principles which despotism produces are precisely those which equality fosters. These two things mutually complete and assist each other. Equality places men side by side, unconnected by any common tie; despotism raises barriers to keep them this way. Equality predisposes them not to consider their fellow-creatures, and despotism makes general indifference as far as society is concerned. The best way citizens can protect themselves from a despotic overthrow is to be aware of what is going on around them. They must not become so caught up in their individualism that they lose site of their neighbors. Tocqueville stated that it is getting involved in local affairs that bring citizens out of their isolation. The free institutions at the local level constantly remind citizens that they live in society. But, it is not just through involvement in political associations that the dangers of despotism in a democracy can be avoided. It is also through civil associations. By this Tocqueville means non-governmental associations such as NAACP, and the American Medical Association. In an aristocratic society, there is little need for people to unite to act since every aristocrat is the head of some organization that can act on its own. In democratic countries, no one person is in charge ...
